WAZA Appoints Dr. Martín Zordan as New CEO

Effective immediately, Dr. Martín Zordan takes over as new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The veterinarian, who has a professional backround in science and animal conservation, culminating his work as Executive Director of the Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (ALPZA) and as Director of Conservation at WAZA. In the past twelve months, Dr. Zordan has been serving as WAZA Interim CEO, following the resignation of former CEO Doug Cress.

“[…] It is a tremendous honor and responsibility to be at the service of this noble global community of aquariums and zoos. […] The current pandemic has turned our world around, but we will get through this. […] Together we are adapting, becoming more globally unified, taking the opportunities that arise and getting ready to re-open,“ says Zordan, who has three principal goals for the next years: (1) To increase the members’ conservation impact and visibility thereof at a global scale. (2) To increase WAZA’s global representation. (3) To represent the highest standards of animal welfare, which the accociation aims to accomplish through the “WAZA 2023 Animal Welfare Goal“.

Theo Pagel, WAZA President, comments: “During his time as Interim CEO of WAZA, Zordan distinguished himself through service and results and has proven to be a very effective Interim CEO and the WAZA Council is confident he will be a strong and strategic leader for the association.“ (eap)